O Level English Language chapter 3: Writing: directed writing MCQs with answers

By Team Megalecture · Updated 4 Nov 2026

54 exam-style questions on Writing: directed writing, each with the answer and a short explanation. Ten of them are below to try. The chapter test draws ten fresh questions each time and is marked the moment you finish, with your score by topic.

54 questions · 4 topics · 10 per test

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What chapter 3 covers

Ten Writing: directed writing questions with answers

Try each one, then open the answer. These ten stay the same; the test draws new ones every time.

1. Choose the best topic sentence to begin this paragraph.

______. The canteen now sells fresh fruit, and water coolers have been installed on every floor. Fizzy drinks have been removed from the vending machines, and a nutritionist visits once a term to talk to students.

  1. A
    The school has taken several steps to help students eat and drink more healthily.
  2. B
    Fizzy drinks have been removed from the vending machines at the school this year.
  3. C
    Many students at the school enjoy sports such as cricket and hockey.
  4. D
    The canteen was built in 1995 and stands next to the school library.
Show answer

Answer: A. A topic sentence states the main idea that the rest of the paragraph supports; every detail here is a healthy-eating step. The fizzy-drinks sentence is only one detail, and the other two are off the topic.

2. Read this email.

Hi Sana! Guess what? We won the debate – I still can't believe it!!! The judges said our closing speech was the best they'd heard all year. Mum's making biryani to celebrate, so come over at seven if you're free. See you later!

Which features show most clearly that this email is informal?

  1. A
    a precise time given for the friend's visit
  2. B
    the past tense used to report the debate result
  3. C
    contractions, exclamation marks and ‘Hi Sana!’
  4. D
    the name of a food that is mentioned in the email
Show answer

Answer: C. Contractions (can't, they'd, Mum's, you're), several exclamation marks and ‘Hi Sana!’ mark an informal email. Past tenses, times and names of things appear in formal writing too.

3. Which sentence would be most suitable for the final section of a report on the school's recycling scheme?

  1. A
    I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
  2. B
    Thank you all for listening so patiently to me this morning in the hall.
  3. C
    It is recommended that recycling bins be placed in every classroom.
  4. D
    Have you ever stopped to wonder where your rubbish really goes?
Show answer

Answer: C. Reports usually end with clear, formal recommendations. The others close a speech or a letter, or open a magazine article.

4. Read this email to a teacher.

Dear Mr Ahmed,
I am sorry that my history project will be late. I was ill with dengue fever for most of last week and have attached a note from my doctor. I have finished the research and need about three more days to write it up.

Which is the most suitable way to end the email?

  1. A
    Could I hand it in on Friday? Thank you for your understanding. Yours sincerely, Omar Farooq
  2. B
    Please could I hand it in on Friday? Thanks a million. Lots of love, Omar
  3. C
    So I'll just hand it in whenever I'm done with it, if that's OK with you. Bye for now! Omar
  4. D
    I expect you to accept it on Friday without any penalty at all. Yours faithfully, Omar Farooq
Show answer

Answer: A. The key politely makes a clear request and uses ‘Yours sincerely’ after ‘Dear Mr Ahmed’. The others are too casual, too demanding (with the wrong sign-off for a named reader), or end with a sign-off only suitable for family and close friends.

5. Which feature is most typical of a formal report?

  1. A
    the sender's address and ‘Yours sincerely’
  2. B
    a title, clear sections and recommendations
  3. C
    a greeting such as ‘Good morning, everyone’
  4. D
    a story told in the first person
Show answer

Answer: B. Reports are organised under a title and sections, usually ending with recommendations. Greetings to listeners belong to speeches, addresses and sign-offs to letters, and stories to narratives.

6. The principal has asked you to write a letter to parents explaining that the school trip to Murree has been postponed because of heavy snow. The letter should also reassure them.

Which sentence best meets both the purpose and the reader?

  1. A
    Please be assured that all deposits are safe and the trip will take place on a new date.
  2. B
    Don't stress, folks – the snow's gone crazy, but we'll sort out a new date soon.
  3. C
    The trip was to include a walk along the Mall Road and a ride on the chairlift.
  4. D
    Heavy snow in the hills often blocks the roads and causes serious accidents every winter.
Show answer

Answer: A. Parents need a polite letter that reassures them about their money and the trip. ‘Don't stress, folks’ is far too informal, the warning about accidents would alarm parents, and the Mall Road detail does nothing to reassure them.

7. Choose the linking phrase that best fills the gap.

The bus fare has doubled this year. ______, many students now walk to school.

  1. A
    As a result
  2. B
    For instance
  3. C
    However
  4. D
    In contrast
Show answer

Answer: A. The second sentence is a consequence of the first, so ‘As a result’ fits. ‘However’ and ‘In contrast’ signal a contrast, and ‘For instance’ introduces an example.

8. Which feature is most typical of a magazine article?

  1. A
    a greeting such as ‘Honoured guests...’
  2. B
    the sender's address and the date at the top of the page
  3. C
    ‘Yours sincerely’ followed by a signature
  4. D
    a headline and an opening that draws the reader in
Show answer

Answer: D. Articles use a headline and an engaging opening to catch the reader's interest. Addresses and sign-offs belong to letters, and greetings to an audience belong to speeches.

9. Your teacher has asked you to write a report for the school governors on a survey about the canteen.

Which sentence is most appropriate for this report?

  1. A
    The canteen is rubbish and everyone hates it, trust me on this one.
  2. B
    Of the 200 students surveyed, 140 said they would buy fresh fruit if it were sold at break.
  3. C
    Once upon a time, our canteen sold nothing but samosas, chips and fizzy drinks all day long.
  4. D
    You simply must act now, before another child has to suffer yet another terrible lunch!
Show answer

Answer: B. A report for governors should be formal and factual, giving findings clearly. The others are emotional like a speech, story-like, or informal and unsupported.

10. You have been asked to write a short article about crossing roads safely for a magazine read by children aged 8 to 10.

Which sentence is most suitable for these readers?

  1. A
    Pedestrian injuries correlate strongly with inadequate infrastructure and driver behaviour.
  2. B
    Roads are dangerous, so obviously only a fool would cross one without looking.
  3. C
    The Ministry hereby advises all road users to observe the relevant regulations.
  4. D
    Before you cross, stop at the kerb, look both ways and listen carefully for traffic.
Show answer

Answer: D. Young readers need short, clear instructions addressed to them. The other options are too technical, insulting to the reader, or stiffly official.

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Ways to practise this chapter

Writing: directed writing: questions students ask

How many Writing: directed writing MCQs are there?

54, each with the answer and a short explanation, across 4 topics: Purpose, audience and register, Using ideas from texts, Forms and conventions, Structure and organisation. Every chapter test draws ten of them, so you can take it many times.

Is the O Level English Language chapter 3 test free?

Yes. The test, the answers and the explanations are free and need no sign-up. Sign in only if you want your scores kept across devices.

How is the chapter test marked?

The moment you press Finish: your score, the right answer and an explanation for every question, and the ones you got wrong saved in My mistakes to retry.

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